But their return made little difference in helping the Bulldogs avoid their second straight loss. Williams scored five points in 24 minutes and went 3 for 9 from the free-throw line. Gaines had five points in 12 minutes.

Mississippi State took a six-point lead on Steele's 3 from the left wing with 11:33 remaining, but Georgia forced a 50-all tie on Tim Dixon's putback at the 9:01 mark.

Steele's previous career high was 19 points, scored last March 8 against Georgia.

"I felt like in the second half that they guarded our shooting guard and we didn't guard theirs," Fox said. "We couldn't get Kentavious a good look at the basket, and their shooter got plenty, so that was the difference in the game."